26 November 2024
In response to Member States' requests, as outlined in WHA Resolution 74.6, WHO established the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) initiative in 2021 as a recurring global platform to drive discussions and partnerships in strengthening sustainable local production and technology transfer. This request stemmed from the recognition of critical gaps in global production capacity and supply chains, which were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These weaknesses hindered timely access to priority health products, underscoring the need for new mechanisms and opportunities to promote local production and facilitate technology transfers. Furthermore, the absence of a dedicated global platform to address these challenges and foster high-level attention emphasized the urgency. The WLPF was created to fill this gap, with the goal of improving timely and equitable access to quality-assured health products, safeguarding global health security, and promoting sustainable development, including during health emergencies.
The Local Production and Assistance Unit, headed by Dr. Jicui Dong, serves as the WLPF Secretariat and is working closely with the United Arab Emirates, the host country, to organize the 3rd World Local Production Forum (WLPF), scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, from 7 to 9 April 2025.
The overarching theme of the 3rd WLPF, “Advancing Local Production for Health Equity, Global Health Security, and Sustainable Development”, highlights the forum’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to essential health products -such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, among others- while fostering resilience in health systems globally.
This highly anticipated event is set to bring together participants from around the world, including high-level representatives from governments, international organizations, financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, and academia. With a program featuring over 30 dynamic plenary and parallel panel discussions, the forum will delve into the critical role of local production in advancing health equity, strengthening global health security, and driving sustainable development. The 3rd WLPF offers participants a unique opportunity to forge partnerships, collaborations, and synergies across various sectors and regions, driving innovation and progress in local production for a healthier, more equitable future.
Registration will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, inviting participants from across the globe to be part of this event. Join us in shaping the future of local production at the 3rd World Local Production Forum happening in the United Arab Emirates from 7 to 9 April 2025.
Further information on the program and agenda will be shared in due course.
For inquiries, please contact the WLPF Secretariat at the localproduction@who.int.